Baby Cockerels - HELP!!!

[CoopedUpChicken]

3 weeks ago, our Cochin hatched 12 eggs of varying mutt chicks
It is obvious that we have at least 4 cockerels in this bunch and I'm waiting for more signs to confirm others as being cockerels.

Today, one of the 3 week old cockerels was kicking the pants out of the other co-hatchling cockerels. He was relentless and would not stop - he just kept going after them over and over and over. I separated him from the bunch and peace was restored. The other cockerels are black and I couldn't see the damage, but the aggressor is yellow and he already was nicked all over his head from the other cockerels fighting him back.

We are not planning on keeping the cockerels as we already have a huge white rock rooster and a silkie rooster.

What do you all suggest.

Does he need to be put down now or will he grow out of it long enough to put him to pot?

Thanks!

 

[MrsBachbach]

Hmmm...awful early for the pecking order fights to start. They usually do start up at some point, but I haven't seen it that early. He's not likely to give up until the others submit to him and agree he's the top bird. You can let them play it out and determine their order while you keep an eye on them to make sure no one is getting bloody or seriously harmed. These things usually do not last hours, just ten or so minutes unless you have some real determined birds. It may not start immediately when you put him back, but it will probably start again sooner or later. Mom is letting them do?

 

[CoopedUpChicken]

Thank you for your reply!

The Cochin is a first time mother hen so I think she might be learning a bit. She's been great on some things.
I observed her while they were fighting and squealing and she did peck at the fighting cockerels a few times - kind of like a "cut it out" peck. They ignored her and kept going at it. That little yellow one would not let up.

I didn't pay attention for how long he was doing it for - but I'll pay attention tomorrow.

He just picks another cockerel who is minding his own business eating or whatnot - runs up to the other cockerel - bows up on that cockerel and starts kicking and pecking and grabbing onto him. It's not like anyone is "starting up" with him - he goes looking for trouble.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Chickens will be chickens and I suspect that the momma hen only pecked one of her peeps to remind him that SHE was still the boss.

What you're seeing is normal and acceptably poultry behavior.

 

[appps]

Sounds like one definatly destined for the pot!

 

[Ridgerunner]

In all the years I’ve kept chickens and with all the broody hens I’ve had raising chicks, one and only one time I had a chick like that. By the time he was two weeks old he killed one hatchmate. I wasn’t sure what had happened but a couple of days later I saw him relentlessly going after another hatchmate. This was pretty early in the morning and the broody hen just stood around doing nothing.

I isolated the aggressor all day, letting him out at night so the broody hen could keep him warm. That ended the problems. If I had seen that behavior again I’d have probably put him down. As it was, I made sure he was the first out of that brood that went into my freezer.

I don’t know if isolating him will work for you or not, but it did for me.

Good luck!

 

[MrsBachbach]

Thank you for your reply!

The Cochin is a first time mother hen so I think she might be learning a bit. She's been great on some things.
I observed her while they were fighting and squealing and she did peck at the fighting cockerels a few times - kind of like a "cut it out" peck. They ignored her and kept going at it. That little yellow one would not let up.

I didn't pay attention for how long he was doing it for - but I'll pay attention tomorrow.

He just picks another cockerel who is minding his own business eating or whatnot - runs up to the other cockerel - bows up on that cockerel and starts kicking and pecking and grabbing onto him. It's not like anyone is "starting up" with him - he goes looking for trouble.

Whatever you do, take Ridgerunners advice and put that cockerel in the pot. Don't breed from him!